Dovedale

Yesterday, Malcolm and I decided we'd take a short trip and have a look at Dovedale. It has been some years since we ventured out that way and to avoid too many people, we parked the car at Milldale, rather than the main 'tourists' car park and set out along the river.

Last year, we were suffering the effects of the drought, but this year, everything is lush and green and despite the slightly overcast conditions, it was quite beautiful along the river Dove.

Surprisingly, there were still quite a few people about, but nowhere near the numbers we'd normally expect to encounter along the river.

Soon, we found our first Dipper (Cinclus cinclus). Britain is home to about 11,000 pairs of these active little birds and they're always a joy to watch. This one of course, flew off as soon as I raised my camera to take a picture, but I still managed to snap it from a distance.

In various places along the river, large clumps of Monkey Flowers (Mimulus guttatus) made a glorious splash of colour. A non-native species, it was introduced from North America, but has now established itself in most parts of the country.

Away from the river, among the rocky outcrops of the valley sides, Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus) was clinging on.

Great for the bees on a brighter day!

Back down to the river and a little digital 'bloom' gives the scene a different look.

On to Dove Holes, a couple of small caves, set a little way up the side of the valley and a perfect place to sit and have our lunch - after Malcolm had checked to see if it was safe!

The caves were occupied by hunters about 15,000 years ago and were used as tombs by Neolithic people around 4,500 years ago.

On a nice day, you can see why this was a popular spot. Indeed, given a few USB charging points and a flat-screen telly and a nice armchair or two, it would still have it's attractions. Even a niche or two for one's objets d'art!

And who could fail to be impressed with a view like this from your front door?

Soon it was time to start heading back. Passing Ilam Rock on the way.

Just time for a couple more pictures. Here, looking back at the caves from little higher up.

And another picture with a little 'bloom' for a magical effect. All in all, it had been a lovely trip out!

Fine Weather

We've had some lovely, fine weather over the last few days, so Malcolm and I have made the most of it and been out and about enjoying the sunshine and all the delights of the summer countryside. Starting with the lakes of Straw's Bridge.

Zooming in a little, we could see the beautiful Water Lilies more clearly. Not a native variety, they must have been put there deliberately, but they're very nice all the same.

Nearby, we thought we'd have a look at the meadows of Pewit Carr. This area is always filled with orchids at this time of year, but you have to make the most of the short season.

In fact, the whole meadow was bursting with wild flowers and grasses.

Buttercups and Clover, Meadowsweet and Common Spotted Orchids all made quite a spectacle, for us as well as the bees and butterflies.

Things have been equally colourful at the other end of Shipley Park, as we found out whilst walking around Mapperley Reservoir the other day.

Hundreds of tiny fish fry were swimming about under these (native) lily pads, keeping away from the coots and geese.

At Osborne's Pond, we were delighted to see a family of Mute Swans, mother, father and two small cygnets. One of which was feeling in need of a lift!

He looked quite comfortable from the vantage point of his mother's back.

But he wasn't giving up his post to his sibling.

Bee Friendly

We're going to start another new month, with a few more pictures from our recent walks around Shipley Park. As always, it's nice to see so many flowers in full bloom around the countryside, especially if they attract lots of bees. Some of the most bee friendly at the moment, belong to the Common Comfrey which is growing near Pewit Carr.

The flowers are small, but numerous and change colour as they open. They are also perfect little nectar vessels for visiting bees.

In our own garden, we have a couple of Common Spotted Orchid plants, both in flower right now. Unfortunately, one flower stem was broken in the wind and rain a few days ago, so it now adorns our kitchen windowsill.

Again, each individual flower is quite tiny, but there are plenty of them and the smaller Bee species enjoy them - when still out in the garden! Photographing them indoors, means you can choose the background and they look rather good lit by the sunshine and pictured against black.

The Bees and Hoverflies, have been enjoying the Cow Parsley along the byways of Shipley Park, but they're now coming to an end, to be replaced with the larger, Hogweed. This Cow Parsley was lining our path to Osborne's Pond a few days ago.

Lastly for today, we have to lapse into cuteness for a picture of an extremely inquisitive little calf, in a field at Mapperley Village.

Of course, once one has his picture taken, they all want to have a go.

Told you they were cute!

Odds and Ends

Just a few random pictures today, from our recent walks, starting with this rather attractive little Tufted Duck which seemed keen to have his photo taken...

But then, judging by his expression, he changed his mind!

Yesterday, as we were in Mapperley Village, we could hear the unmistakable sound of a Peacock, screaming in the distance. Eventually, we found where he was calling from.

From his vantage point on top of this shed, he made quite an impressive sight - and sound!

On Thursday, we went up and over Shipley Hill to check if the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) which we found a few weeks ago, had started to flower. It had!

This is still a small specimen and isn't very impressive so far, but the flowers, from which the tree gets its name, are still rather gorgeous. The leaves are a strange shape too.

Back home, our own garden has been permeated by the most intoxicating smell recently because our Palm (Cordyline australis) has produced three large flower spikes this year. We've never had such a good 'crop' of flowers - and the bees have loved them too. Sadly, the wet weather has dramatically shortened the flowering time, but it was good while it lasted.

Out in the countryside, the paths have been lined with Forget-me-nots...

and Cow Parsley.

But now, as they both begin to fade, the Ox-eye Daisies have their moment in the sun.

Youngsters

As usual at this time of year, there are plenty of youngsters about. Ducklings of course...

some, a little more advanced than others.

And some, almost fully grown.

The Canada Geese, have families too. Preening and snoozing...

before stretching those long legs.

The Coots too, have youngsters which are growing fast. Considering their tendency to get violent with over-demanding chicks, it's as well to grow up fast when you are a Coot.

The Common Terns which nest each year at Straw's Bridge, didn't have chicks the last time we looked, but maybe by now, they too will be busy feeding youngsters. Lets hope so!

Wild Flowers

Despite the rather chilly and wet weather we've had of late, Shipley Park is looking very colourful at the moment. This morning's walk took Malcolm and I through some fabulous wild flower meadows.

It's the time of year, when we start to look for the Bee Orchids coming into flower - and we found plenty of them this morning.

Such small flowers are often tricky to find among the others plants, but once you've got your eye in, you soon find them all over.

Some of the flowers have suffered a little in the rain, but these were quite gorgeous.

Go on then, just one more...

Growing alongside the Bee Orchids, the small, bright flowers of these Yellow-wort plants, were looking good too.

Yellow-wort like well drained conditions, so they're quite happy in the gravels of this old car-park.

There will no doubt be plenty more flowers to come....